A wrongful death settlement of compensatory damages is nontaxable because it is the result of a claim arising from personal physical injury or illness. However, if the settlement includes punitive damages and/or interest, that portion of the settlement is taxable.
A portion of earnings withheld by an employer or put into a retirement plan for distribution to the employee at a later date. If certain legal requirements are met, the deferred amount is not taxable until actually paid, for example, after retirement.